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ADELAIDE midfielders Brad Crouch and Rory Atkins will not play Friday night’s NAB Challenge clash after failing to meet club standards. The Pulse has the details.

ADELAIDE duo Brad Crouch and Rory Atkins have been dumped from the team for Friday night’s NAB Challenge clash for failing to meet club standards.

The midfielders have been disciplined for their off-field behaviour during a club break last weekend. The Crows’ decision to drop Crouch and Atkins was made on the recommendation of the senior leadership group, the club said on Thursday morning. “It’s disappointing for both of them,” Crows coach Don Pyke said at Adelaide Airport as the team prepared to fly to Queensland. “We’ve got a trademark in place for our players and an expectation around their standards and behaviours and unfortunately they made an error of judgment last weekend.” But Pyke said the pair will still be considered for Round 1 despite being sensationally axed from the side to play Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Friday night. “Both of those guys have the opportunity to play this weekend, to press their claims for a spot in round one and also to learn a lesson from the expectations we have as a footy club,” he said. “They are both disappointed, as you can imagine, but they now have an opportunity to redeem themselves by playing well this weekend to keep themselves in the (selection) mix.” Crouch and Atkins will play in the SANFL against South Adelaide at Football Park on Saturday. Pyke said the incidents that led to their axings from the AFL wasn’t serious. He would not divulge whether alcohol was involved. “I’m not going to go into details about exactly what it was,” he said. “The leadership group, when they became aware of it, approached me with a recommendation which I fully supported.” Crouch lives with Crows captain Taylor Walker. The 22-year-old, who has been heralded as a midfield star in the making, was set to make his long-awaited return after missing the 2015 with a foot injury. Read more on The Advertiser Sport. Read our live blog below for all the details.